Asiatic Trachelospermum asiaticum

The small, dark green glossy of dwarf jasmine have prominent veins of a lighter green. The slender, wiry stems simply sprawl on the ground, providing a dense groundcover within two years after planting in full sun, slower in shade. The small, pale yellow, star-shaped, very fragrantblooms are rare in Florida.

General Information Pronunciation: tray-kell-loe-SPER-mum ay-shee-AT-tickkum Common name(s): Dwarf Jasmine, Small- Confederate Jasmine, Asiatic Jasmine Family: type: USDA hardiness zones: 7B through 10 Planting month for zone 9: year round Origin: not native to North America Uses: cascading down a wall Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range

Description Height: depends upon supporting structure Spread: depends upon supporting structure Plant habit: spreading Plant density: dense Growth rate: fast Texture: fine

Foliage Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite Leaf type: simple Trunk and Branches Leaf margin: entire Leaf shape: ovate Leaf venation: pinnate Leaf type and persistence: evergreen Leaf blade length: less than 2 inches Leaf color: variegated Fall color: no fall color change Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower color: yellow Flower characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy; pleasant fragrance

Fruit Fruit shape: pod or pod-like Fruit length: 1 to 3 inches Fruit cover: dry or hard Fruit color: unknown Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy

Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable Current year stem/twig color: brown Current year stem/twig thickness: thin

Culture Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun Soil tolerances: alkaline; clay; sand; acidic; loam Drought tolerance: moderate Soil salt tolerances: unknown Plant spacing: 24 to 36 inches

Other Roots: not applicable Winter interest: no special winter interest Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding Invasive potential: aggressive, spreading plant Pest resistance: no serious pests are normally seen on the plant Trachelospermum asiaticum -- Dwarf Jasmine

Use and Management Growing in full sun to partial shade, dwarf jasmine does best on rich soil with ample moisture but will tolerate less ideal conditions. Plant on 18-inch centers. Pruning along sidewalks and other edges is necessary to control growth. The stems do not climb, so this ground cover is ideal for planting round and beneath shrubs and . Propagation is by semi-hardwood cuttings placed in mist beds with rooting hormone treatment. Dense stands can be cut like sod to transplant to other areas. Scales or whiteflies followed by sooty mold can be a minor problem for dwarf jasmine.

Pests and Diseases No diseases are of major concern. by Edward F. Gilman